(Marci - red; Kathy- green Marci blue 2020)Orange 2021 Brown 2022/23)
Chapter 7
The chief judge is murdered, the government is destroyed, and the people divide into tribes—Jacob, an anti-Christ, becomes king of a secret combination—Nephi preaches repentance and faith in Christ—Angels minister to him daily, and he raises his brother from the dead—Many repent and are baptized. About A.D. 30–33.
1 Now behold, I will show unto you that they did not establish a king over the land; but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did destroy upon the judgment-seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the land. Plenty of evil ministering going on, as the Gadianton’s kill the country’s leader, although they didn’t yet establish a king. Trump to be assassinated? Some say yes. He wasn't, but some say that Biden will "be removed" after July 4th because he failed to get 70% of the country vaccinated by then. The one's running the show are not happy about that and will remove him. If Ezra's prophecy pertains to this time, Harris will be in even shorter and then we have much chaos...the one who comes in "not by succession" after that is supposed to be the one who persecutes the Saints. We are in for a real ride! Buckle up! Fall 2022 and Biden is still here. One visionary says he saw Biden in a coffin in a December. Another says the scriptures say WWIII needs to start under Biden. Russia is not happy and threats are flying. Mid-term elections are flying and election fraud has not been accepted as real by the mainstream media, so the results will likely be false. It should set off more alarms if Democrats are re-elected with the worst economy in history! Another says Trump will get in after that as the Supreme Court rules the 2020 election stolen and then he's assassinated. Another says we are called out the night he's assassinated. Another said he is the one to "make war with the saints"....who knows. Seems like they are never right. We know the scriptures are correct, we just don't always interpret them correctly. Nov 2023 - Biden still in; Trump not put back in by the Supreme Court; No WWIII yet;
2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did aseparate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land. This is prophesied for us in the near future. This could so easily happen, The stage has been set for division (masks, vax, conservative/liberal, gays, blacks, election fraud etc...). If there is chaos caused by presidents dropping like flies and someone coming in "not by succession" and there is a big reveal about election fraud and the vax being bad....people will divide even more. When faced with "facts" people really have to choose a side. It's not just a "conspiracy theory" anymore...there is hard evidence. You either accept it and repent, or you deny it and rebel.
3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes. Will our "tribes" be families? States? something else?
4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.
5 Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them; and all this iniquity had come upon the people abecause they did byield themselves unto the power of Satan. There were no wars at this time, yet all this happened because the people yielded to Satan. Remember we are accountable. It is US that yield our hearts to Satan. We don't have to...we choose it.
6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, their ultimate goal because of the asecret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets. The Gadiantons who had murdered the prophets, had destroyed the country’s laws. This is prophesied to happen to us.
7 And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that the more righteous part of the people had nearly all become wicked; yea, there were but few righteous men among them. Satan is the father of contention. We must minister the gospel of peace wherever we go. Either ministering had ceased, or no one would pay attention to righteous ministering. In our day, Isaiah says that the fulness of the Gospel is rejected by the Gentiles. I think the Gentiles are the members of the Church, since we are the ones with the fulness of the Gospel. This is so so sad to imagine but I think it is at our door...I still think there needs to be a short religious revival preceded by great miracles and signs and then a falling away after that. It can be a short period as it was for these people, but that seems like what a merciful God would do...
8 And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his avomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire. It hadn’t even been 6 years since their victory over the Gadiantons!
9 Now this secret combination, which had brought so great iniquity upon the people, did gather themselves together, and did place at their head a man whom they did call Jacob; Satan always counterfeits the Lord's ways. The Lord gathers, Satan gathers. Christ is our king and at our head. Satan places a man as king....
10 And they did call him their king; therefore he became a king over this wicked band; and he was one of the chiefest who had given his voice against the prophets who testified of Jesus. The preface says that Jacob is an Anti-Christ, but I don’t find it in the chapter’s text. Our prophecies promise us an Anti-Christ before the Savior’s coming, as well. He is an anti-Christ because he goes against anyone who preaches of Christ, so his own teaching must have been that there is no Christ. Perhaps this happens in our day as our anti-Christ is the chief voice against the end-time servant, and/or the prophet and apostles. It seems that this will be an unmistakable sign of the anti-christ. He will directly and openly preach against Christ.
11 And it came to pass that they were not so strong in number as the tribes of the people, who were united together save it were their leaders did establish their laws, every one according to his tribe; nevertheless they were enemies; notwithstanding they were not a righteous people, yet they were united in the hatred of those who had entered into a covenant to adestroy the government. My explanation for this is that each tribe was acting for the benefit of self, so they could not unite on principles of righteousness. They used the laws they wanted to protect still for their self-interest as it afforded them the freedom to do so. This kind of unity will not bring the ends they are seeking.
12 Therefore, Jacob seeing that their enemies were more numerous than they, he being the king of the band, therefore he commanded his people that they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the land, and there build up unto themselves a akingdom, until they were joined by dissenters, (for he flattered them that there would be many dissenters) and they become sufficiently strong to contend with the tribes of the people; and they did so. This makes me think that the "secret state" did the same thing. They went into hiding and have been gathering numbers for decades. When they feel their numbers are sufficient, they will come out of hiding to take over the world government.
13 And so speedy was their march that it could not be impeded until they had gone forth out of the reach of the people. And thus ended the thirtieth year; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi. Even the tribes hated him and the Gadiantons. Although the Nephites were wicked as well, Jacob thought it best to leave quickly until they could draw enough dissenters away. I’m sure they continued to minister to one another and fine tune, the craft of Gadianton.
14 And it came to pass in the thirty and first year that they were divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred and friends; nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws, and their manner of government, for they were established according to the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders. But they did establish very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass against another, insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the land; nevertheless, their hearts were turned from the Lord their God, and they did stone the aprophets and did cast them out from among them. Each tribe ministered to itself, and had strict rules of conduct. There was some peace, but still, they turned away from the Lord, and stoned any prophets who came among them. At this stage, they could respect that others may have different standards and values and did not try to force others to live as they did. But what they all unitedly could not abide was someone telling them that they should change their ways and accept and acknowledge God's laws, to the point that those people were stoned and cast out. We are cast out today, when we try to tell others that what they've chosen to do is against God's laws. They want that speech outlawed and "cast out" of our communities as well.
15 And it came to pass that aNephi—having been visited by angels and also the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eye-witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye-witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations; This reminds me of Pres. Nelson's recent promise, "Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory." Nephi has been ministered to, this whole time, by angels and the voice of the Lord, and he’d been given to know about Christ’s ministry, which was going on still. To his dismay, he also witnessed his peoples’ digression.
16 Therefore, being agrieved for the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds—went forth among them in that same year, and began to testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. We minister boldy, but with a grieved heart. There is not anger or impatience. Just a keen understanding of the consequences of sin and the reality of the fulfillment of God's words. We don't want anyone to be lost or to suffer. We preach redemption not destruction. I’m sure the ministering by heavenly beings gave him renewed strength, and he went forth again, to minister and to testify.
17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with apower and with great authority. He “ministered with power and great authority.” Pres. Nelson is asking us to learn how to obtain this "power". Is Nephi a type of the "end-time servant"?
18 And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were anot possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily. People hated him, but couldn’t disbelieve his words, so great was his faith, that angels ministered to him daily. Then he would turn around and minister what he’d been taught. Most of the time we see "milk before meat" kind of ministering so that people will not be held accountable for that which they are not ready for. These people had already had the meat and had turned away from it. They were already accountable. I would love to have the kind of faith in Jesus Christ that allowed angels to minister to me daily. What did they do? Teach? Heal?
19 And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and aunclean spirits; and even his bbrother did he craise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people. His brother must have been a prophet too...He cast out devils and unclean spirits, and raised his brother, Timothy, from death. It looks like he’d been stoned as one of those prophets the tribes hated.
20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him because of his power; and he did also do amany more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus. People saw this miracle, and were angry. Nephi continued to do many miracles that they witnessed, and they hated him the more. These people had been given SO many miracles and signs and witnesses. Surely this was ripening them for the coming destruction so it would be justified in the eyes of God. The end-time servant will also do many miracles.
21 And it came to pass that the thirty and first year did pass away, and there were but few who were converted unto the Lord; but as many as were converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been avisited by the power and bSpirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed. At this verse, many were not being converted to the Lord, but those who did, testified they’d been visited (ministered to), by the power and Spirit of God. This is born again language. True conversion means you have been visited by the power and Spirit of God and received a remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
22 And as many as had devils cast out from them, and were ahealed of their sicknesses and their infirmities, did truly manifest unto the people that they had been wrought upon by the Spirit of God, and had been healed; and they did show forth signs also and did do some miracles among the people. This verse is significant to me, because these were not 3 categories—the sick, the disabled, those possessed by devils, but 1 group. This verse says “And as many as had devils cast out from them, AND were healed of their sicknesses and their infirmities,…” it doesn’t say, “and those who were healed of their sicknesses and their infirmities…” Maybe it’s semantics, but this suggests that devils and unclean spirits may be at the root of our sicknesses and afflictions, and have to be dismissed before the healing can begin.
23 Thus passed away the thirty and second year also. And Nephi did cry unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year; and he did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins. Nephi was given a 3 year ministry that paralleled the time that Christ was also preaching to "his own" and "they received him not" as well. Interesting... He seems to be a fore-runner for Christ coming to the Nephites...
24 Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto arepentance who were not baptized with water. Nephi continued his ministry or preaching repentance and remission of sins, and all who accept his invitation, were baptized. I notice a “gathering” taking place. From verse 21, with few people being converted, from 31 A.D.-33 A.D., in verse 26, where many are baptized, much ministering and gathering is taking place. It seems like anytime someone is re-converted they are baptized again. I wouldn't think there is anything wrong with re-committing through this outward sign again...
25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry, that all such as should come unto them should be abaptized with water, and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a bremission of their sins. Nephi needed more helpers to minister, inferring that more and more people were accepting the Gospel. Those who accepted were baptized as a sign to God that they’d repented and received remission. They continued the gathering, that “all such as should come unto them should be baptized.”
26 And there were many in the commencement of this year that were baptized unto repentance; Is this a different group than the one in vs 25? and thus the more part of the year did pass away. Many were baptized. This was a very interesting chapter! I can't help but assume that many of these Nephites had already been baptized. Had they been excommunicated and thus need rebaptism? Or had they just fallen away and it's okay to rebaptize? Or are these people who had never accepted the gospel?
1 Now behold, I will show unto you that they did not establish a king over the land; but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did destroy upon the judgment-seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the land. Plenty of evil ministering going on, as the Gadianton’s kill the country’s leader, although they didn’t yet establish a king. Trump to be assassinated? Some say yes. He wasn't, but some say that Biden will "be removed" after July 4th because he failed to get 70% of the country vaccinated by then. The one's running the show are not happy about that and will remove him. If Ezra's prophecy pertains to this time, Harris will be in even shorter and then we have much chaos...the one who comes in "not by succession" after that is supposed to be the one who persecutes the Saints. We are in for a real ride! Buckle up! Fall 2022 and Biden is still here. One visionary says he saw Biden in a coffin in a December. Another says the scriptures say WWIII needs to start under Biden. Russia is not happy and threats are flying. Mid-term elections are flying and election fraud has not been accepted as real by the mainstream media, so the results will likely be false. It should set off more alarms if Democrats are re-elected with the worst economy in history! Another says Trump will get in after that as the Supreme Court rules the 2020 election stolen and then he's assassinated. Another says we are called out the night he's assassinated. Another said he is the one to "make war with the saints"....who knows. Seems like they are never right. We know the scriptures are correct, we just don't always interpret them correctly. Nov 2023 - Biden still in; Trump not put back in by the Supreme Court; No WWIII yet;
2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did aseparate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land. This is prophesied for us in the near future. This could so easily happen, The stage has been set for division (masks, vax, conservative/liberal, gays, blacks, election fraud etc...). If there is chaos caused by presidents dropping like flies and someone coming in "not by succession" and there is a big reveal about election fraud and the vax being bad....people will divide even more. When faced with "facts" people really have to choose a side. It's not just a "conspiracy theory" anymore...there is hard evidence. You either accept it and repent, or you deny it and rebel.
3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes. Will our "tribes" be families? States? something else?
4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.
5 Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them; and all this iniquity had come upon the people abecause they did byield themselves unto the power of Satan. There were no wars at this time, yet all this happened because the people yielded to Satan. Remember we are accountable. It is US that yield our hearts to Satan. We don't have to...we choose it.
6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, their ultimate goal because of the asecret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets. The Gadiantons who had murdered the prophets, had destroyed the country’s laws. This is prophesied to happen to us.
7 And they did cause a great contention in the land, insomuch that the more righteous part of the people had nearly all become wicked; yea, there were but few righteous men among them. Satan is the father of contention. We must minister the gospel of peace wherever we go. Either ministering had ceased, or no one would pay attention to righteous ministering. In our day, Isaiah says that the fulness of the Gospel is rejected by the Gentiles. I think the Gentiles are the members of the Church, since we are the ones with the fulness of the Gospel. This is so so sad to imagine but I think it is at our door...I still think there needs to be a short religious revival preceded by great miracles and signs and then a falling away after that. It can be a short period as it was for these people, but that seems like what a merciful God would do...
8 And thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his avomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire. It hadn’t even been 6 years since their victory over the Gadiantons!
9 Now this secret combination, which had brought so great iniquity upon the people, did gather themselves together, and did place at their head a man whom they did call Jacob; Satan always counterfeits the Lord's ways. The Lord gathers, Satan gathers. Christ is our king and at our head. Satan places a man as king....
10 And they did call him their king; therefore he became a king over this wicked band; and he was one of the chiefest who had given his voice against the prophets who testified of Jesus. The preface says that Jacob is an Anti-Christ, but I don’t find it in the chapter’s text. Our prophecies promise us an Anti-Christ before the Savior’s coming, as well. He is an anti-Christ because he goes against anyone who preaches of Christ, so his own teaching must have been that there is no Christ. Perhaps this happens in our day as our anti-Christ is the chief voice against the end-time servant, and/or the prophet and apostles. It seems that this will be an unmistakable sign of the anti-christ. He will directly and openly preach against Christ.
11 And it came to pass that they were not so strong in number as the tribes of the people, who were united together save it were their leaders did establish their laws, every one according to his tribe; nevertheless they were enemies; notwithstanding they were not a righteous people, yet they were united in the hatred of those who had entered into a covenant to adestroy the government. My explanation for this is that each tribe was acting for the benefit of self, so they could not unite on principles of righteousness. They used the laws they wanted to protect still for their self-interest as it afforded them the freedom to do so. This kind of unity will not bring the ends they are seeking.
12 Therefore, Jacob seeing that their enemies were more numerous than they, he being the king of the band, therefore he commanded his people that they should take their flight into the northernmost part of the land, and there build up unto themselves a akingdom, until they were joined by dissenters, (for he flattered them that there would be many dissenters) and they become sufficiently strong to contend with the tribes of the people; and they did so. This makes me think that the "secret state" did the same thing. They went into hiding and have been gathering numbers for decades. When they feel their numbers are sufficient, they will come out of hiding to take over the world government.
13 And so speedy was their march that it could not be impeded until they had gone forth out of the reach of the people. And thus ended the thirtieth year; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi. Even the tribes hated him and the Gadiantons. Although the Nephites were wicked as well, Jacob thought it best to leave quickly until they could draw enough dissenters away. I’m sure they continued to minister to one another and fine tune, the craft of Gadianton.
14 And it came to pass in the thirty and first year that they were divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred and friends; nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws, and their manner of government, for they were established according to the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders. But they did establish very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass against another, insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the land; nevertheless, their hearts were turned from the Lord their God, and they did stone the aprophets and did cast them out from among them. Each tribe ministered to itself, and had strict rules of conduct. There was some peace, but still, they turned away from the Lord, and stoned any prophets who came among them. At this stage, they could respect that others may have different standards and values and did not try to force others to live as they did. But what they all unitedly could not abide was someone telling them that they should change their ways and accept and acknowledge God's laws, to the point that those people were stoned and cast out. We are cast out today, when we try to tell others that what they've chosen to do is against God's laws. They want that speech outlawed and "cast out" of our communities as well.
15 And it came to pass that aNephi—having been visited by angels and also the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eye-witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye-witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations; This reminds me of Pres. Nelson's recent promise, "Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory." Nephi has been ministered to, this whole time, by angels and the voice of the Lord, and he’d been given to know about Christ’s ministry, which was going on still. To his dismay, he also witnessed his peoples’ digression.
16 Therefore, being agrieved for the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds—went forth among them in that same year, and began to testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. We minister boldy, but with a grieved heart. There is not anger or impatience. Just a keen understanding of the consequences of sin and the reality of the fulfillment of God's words. We don't want anyone to be lost or to suffer. We preach redemption not destruction. I’m sure the ministering by heavenly beings gave him renewed strength, and he went forth again, to minister and to testify.
17 And he did minister many things unto them; and all of them cannot be written, and a part of them would not suffice, therefore they are not written in this book. And Nephi did minister with apower and with great authority. He “ministered with power and great authority.” Pres. Nelson is asking us to learn how to obtain this "power". Is Nephi a type of the "end-time servant"?
18 And it came to pass that they were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were anot possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily. People hated him, but couldn’t disbelieve his words, so great was his faith, that angels ministered to him daily. Then he would turn around and minister what he’d been taught. Most of the time we see "milk before meat" kind of ministering so that people will not be held accountable for that which they are not ready for. These people had already had the meat and had turned away from it. They were already accountable. I would love to have the kind of faith in Jesus Christ that allowed angels to minister to me daily. What did they do? Teach? Heal?
19 And in the name of Jesus did he cast out devils and aunclean spirits; and even his bbrother did he craise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people. His brother must have been a prophet too...He cast out devils and unclean spirits, and raised his brother, Timothy, from death. It looks like he’d been stoned as one of those prophets the tribes hated.
20 And the people saw it, and did witness of it, and were angry with him because of his power; and he did also do amany more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus. People saw this miracle, and were angry. Nephi continued to do many miracles that they witnessed, and they hated him the more. These people had been given SO many miracles and signs and witnesses. Surely this was ripening them for the coming destruction so it would be justified in the eyes of God. The end-time servant will also do many miracles.
21 And it came to pass that the thirty and first year did pass away, and there were but few who were converted unto the Lord; but as many as were converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been avisited by the power and bSpirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed. At this verse, many were not being converted to the Lord, but those who did, testified they’d been visited (ministered to), by the power and Spirit of God. This is born again language. True conversion means you have been visited by the power and Spirit of God and received a remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
22 And as many as had devils cast out from them, and were ahealed of their sicknesses and their infirmities, did truly manifest unto the people that they had been wrought upon by the Spirit of God, and had been healed; and they did show forth signs also and did do some miracles among the people. This verse is significant to me, because these were not 3 categories—the sick, the disabled, those possessed by devils, but 1 group. This verse says “And as many as had devils cast out from them, AND were healed of their sicknesses and their infirmities,…” it doesn’t say, “and those who were healed of their sicknesses and their infirmities…” Maybe it’s semantics, but this suggests that devils and unclean spirits may be at the root of our sicknesses and afflictions, and have to be dismissed before the healing can begin.
23 Thus passed away the thirty and second year also. And Nephi did cry unto the people in the commencement of the thirty and third year; and he did preach unto them repentance and remission of sins. Nephi was given a 3 year ministry that paralleled the time that Christ was also preaching to "his own" and "they received him not" as well. Interesting... He seems to be a fore-runner for Christ coming to the Nephites...
24 Now I would have you to remember also, that there were none who were brought unto arepentance who were not baptized with water. Nephi continued his ministry or preaching repentance and remission of sins, and all who accept his invitation, were baptized. I notice a “gathering” taking place. From verse 21, with few people being converted, from 31 A.D.-33 A.D., in verse 26, where many are baptized, much ministering and gathering is taking place. It seems like anytime someone is re-converted they are baptized again. I wouldn't think there is anything wrong with re-committing through this outward sign again...
25 Therefore, there were ordained of Nephi, men unto this ministry, that all such as should come unto them should be abaptized with water, and this as a witness and a testimony before God, and unto the people, that they had repented and received a bremission of their sins. Nephi needed more helpers to minister, inferring that more and more people were accepting the Gospel. Those who accepted were baptized as a sign to God that they’d repented and received remission. They continued the gathering, that “all such as should come unto them should be baptized.”
26 And there were many in the commencement of this year that were baptized unto repentance; Is this a different group than the one in vs 25? and thus the more part of the year did pass away. Many were baptized. This was a very interesting chapter! I can't help but assume that many of these Nephites had already been baptized. Had they been excommunicated and thus need rebaptism? Or had they just fallen away and it's okay to rebaptize? Or are these people who had never accepted the gospel?
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